Portable microscopes hold potential for expanding access to diagnosis for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in resource-constrained settings. A number of innovative approaches have appeared in the literature, and early field testing has yielded promising results. Further work is needed to create sample-to-answer solutions that address current obstacles to sample preparation, object identification, and high-throughput use. Once these challenges are addressed, portable microscopy could yield timely information on the distribution and of disease in remote settings and transform the approach to treatment, control, surveillance, and elimination of NTDs at the point of care.